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Several Cambridge United players had their hands on their heads at the final whistle, summing up a frustrating afternoon after conceding an equaliser in stoppage time.

But while the 1,300-plus throng of vocal travelling supporters were no doubt feeling the same way after Ollie Palmer snatched a goal at the death to earn Leyton Orient a point, there was no moping coming from their section of the stand.

Shaun Derry recognised that and gave them a warm round of applause, knowing if, as expected, his players respond to what is effectively a minor setback in the same manner as the fans, there will be no worries about United coming off the rails.

Notts County were visiting the Cambs Glass Stadium today to round off United’s festive programme and Derry explained how he hoped his side would wipe Saturday’s late agony from the memory bank and concentrate on getting 2017 off to a winning start.

He said: “I always say to the guys ‘don’t live in the past, live in the moment and look around the corner’.

“We’ve achieved fantastic things over the last three months and I was gutted for the 1,500 fans that made the trip, but I think you could judge from the way we were clapped off, how much they appreciate us as well.

“We have to move on. It’s a real close turnaround and we’re playing Notts County now, so the focus has to be on that.”

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Aside from the lapse in injury time that allowed Palmer to knock a deflected shot under the dive of the deceived Will Norris, United had rarely been in any real danger at the back.

Norris produced a save from Sandro Semedo and Paul McCallum in either half, but had little else to do.

Semedo was kept largely under wraps by Brad Halliday, who put in another excellent shift both defensively and in supporting United’s attacking play, while Greg Taylor enjoyed a great battle with Gavin Massey on the opposite flank.

Massey provided Orient’s biggest threat with his ability to turn and move quickly, but his better work came when he moved inside and looked to take on someone else such was the quality of the left-back’s positioning.

And with James Dunne on top form, shielding the United backline with real energy and command, it appeared there would only be one winner after Harrison Dunk had put United in front.

Dunk’s finish may not have been the prettiest, stabbing home from close range after Luke Berry had had a couple of efforts blocked, but it was no more than the visitors deserved, even midway through the first half.

While the hosts gave it a go in the opening stages of the second half, United soon regained control of the situation.

But the ruthless edge that has been a feature in recent weeks when Derry’s side smell blood just was not there to carry on where Dunk had left off.

For all the rough ride Uche Ikpeazu gave the Orient defence, he was unable to truly test home keeper Alex Cisak and sometimes tried to do too much himself when other options were available.

He did manage to get the ball in the net midway through the second half by touching home Dunk’s mis-hit strike, following good work by Berry, but the flag had already gone up for offside.

Berry had a great chance soon after only for it to be blocked, while Dunk somehow headed onto the crossbar at the far post from Halliday’s cross from the right with the goal gaping.

Max Clark made an impact when he came on, doing his bit to break up play and set wheels in motion going forward.

And he gave Cisak his biggest test with a well-struck 25-yard effort that the keeper did well to push away.

But 1-0 is a slender advantage and United were made to pay for spurning their opportunities, while still going back up the M11 with a point.

Derry was philosophical about the outcome afterwards given the run United have been on in recent times.

He said: “I’m pleased with the levels of performance the boys are producing at this minute in time, but clearly disappointed with the last 30 seconds of the game.

“If we were a little more ruthless in certain moments, it would have been difficult for Orient to snatch something from the game.

“But fair credit to Andy (Edwards, Orient boss) and his team. We knew after two home wins they’d come out right to the very last minute, so you have to give credit to the opposition as well.

“I think if anybody was to have asked us six games ago if we’d have taken this, five wins and a draw, we’d have been snapping their hands off.”